White House officials confirm that President Bush has ordered his aides to do their own review of the administration's Iraq policy.
The White House denies the effort is aimed at doing an end run around the Iraq Study Group, the bipartisan panel set up by Congress. Officials say that both reviews can proceed together.
Aides report the analysis has been going on "discreetly" for several weeks, and is continuing during the president's eight-day overseas trip. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley says Bush will be briefed on his return next week. But Hadley says the review process will likely continue through and after Thanksgiving.
The president is said to be looking for ways to lend more support to the Iraqi government. He wants to hear back on his return next week. But aides stress that is not a deadline for a policy shift.